Welcome to episode 35 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast. This week my guest is Chrissy Buteas, Chief Government Affairs Officer of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
Growing up Chrissy had an affinity for playing sports and thought maybe that was going to be her future. She had dreams of also managing a sports team. However, she shifted gears from the sports arena to the political arena. All of her sports training taught her firsthand how to be a team player, win, lose and do it all again.
Chrissy has worked in both the not for profit and for profit sectors and is able to advocate for businesses in her role at the NJBIA with the knowledge of what it takes to be a leader in this state.
Prior to joining NJBIA, Chrissy served as the president and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, representing New Jersey home health agencies, hospices and health care service firms servicing the state’s Medicare, Medicaid and private pay patients. She serves on the board of trustees of Middlesex College and is a member of the Northern Board of Junior Achievement.
Chrissy is also the former president and current board member of the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in government. She serves as a member of the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council, New Jersey Small Employer Health Benefits Program and the New Jersey Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission. Also, Chrissy currently serves as the Sergeant of Arms for the Democratic State Committee. She also serves on the board of Focus NJ, an independent research non-profit conducting timely, innovative, nonpartisan economic and workforce research.
We talk about women breaking barriers and Chrissy is truly a barrier breaker as she has won several awards including being named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, a Barrier Breaker as part of Jersey's Best magazine’s Spring issue honoring trailblazing women in the state and recognized on ROI-NJ's Influencers: Power List for Government Affairs. In 2018, Buteas was named to NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business list. She was named to NJBIZ’s “40 Under 40” and “Power 50 Health Care” lists in 2017, as well as the 2017 “Insider 100 Policymakers” list by Insider NJ.
During our interview We also touch on the importance of busy people taking better care of themselves and the importance of taking a break, so we can come back to the work we all do with a renewed spirit and passion. We all deserve it.
Don't forget to listen to Chrissy's response to 'if I knew then what I know now'.
Next week, I welcome my guest Kathy Durante, Executive Director, OceanFirst Bank. Kathy shares how she thought law school was in her future, but instead took a position as Executive Director for a United Way and then moved on to be the ED of a foundation. She continues on to say how it feels to be able to provide funding to for-impact organizations so that they can share their mission and expand their programming. Another great interview!
Please also subscribe to the Today is Day Changemakers YouTube Channel. Like us on FB and Instagram at Today is the Day Live it. Also go to todayisthedayliveit.com for more information about how I help my clients connect, collaborate, create, and inspire. I am also the CEO and Co-founder of the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children living with financial barriers take ongoing lessons in dance, acting, instrumental music, and vocal instruction. Visit applaudourkids.org
